Qualifications and Credit Framework
Newcastle University's Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) sets out the minimum credit values that programme structures must require students to take in order to gain a specific level of qualification. It does not prevent specification of higher values appropriate to any given qualification in order to reflect the breadth of subjects offered and external points of reference, for example, the requirements of professional, statutory and regulatory bodies.
Neither does it prevent additional non-credit-bearing components of a programme which must be undertaken for an award to be made, for example, cross-modular assessment. The QCF conforms fully with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ), one element of the UK Quality Code maintained by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Faculty Education Committees, when they approve new and amended modules, should be guided by the general definitions of level included in the QCF and in the University Regulations.
All new programme proposals and revisions to existing programmes should be drawn up with reference to the QCF. Programme specifications should make explicit reference to the FHEQ level and have an accurate award title. Any proposals which vary from the QCF for particular reasons should be accompanied by a completed exemption request form. Proposals for exemption should be discussed with your Faculty Learning and Teaching Team in the first instance:-
HASS – HaSS.Education@ncl.ac.uk
SAgE– sage.education@ncl.ac.uk
FMS: fmseducation@ncl.ac.uk
Cross-Faculty: educational.policy.governance@ncl.ac.uk